March 25, 2013 - Private companies in the United States grew sales by approximately 9.7 percent in the period ended February 2013, about the same as in the period ended January 2013 and close to the 10.1 percent growth seen one year ago. The average private company had a 7.6 percent net profit margin in the period ended February 2013, compared to 4.6 percent a year earlier. “The gains in profitability may stem from reduced overhead expenses or economies of scale achieved with increasing sales,” noted Sageworks analyst Libby Bierman. “They can cover their fixed costs faster since they have continued to see top-line growth during the past year.”

In an analysis of the top industries by profitability, Sageworks identified several service-based industries with strong net profit margins. Bierman explained that these companies don’t have to purchase inventories or invest in much equipment. “For service-based companies like accounting firms and law firms, revenue dollars just have to cover payroll and overhead expenses, allowing these companies to achieve above-average margins.”

“Private companies continue to grow at an impressive rate, most notably even in the construction industry," said Sageworks Chairman Brian Hamilton. "Unprecedented is their lack of hiring over this much time, however.”

Sageworks releases a monthly report on the state of privately held companies in America. It includes metrics on the average U.S. privately held company, as well as the performance of notable sectors and industries.The full report, including sector breakout and further analysis, can be found here.